By Jason Moore

Vehicles which have been in the industry for years do not simply just stay the way they have been built since their inception. In fact, most of these vehicles get a little changing with various parts. For example, a Ford vehicle could get some Ford accessories changed or perhaps a little changes done to its body parts.

For this year, the BMW brand is going to unveil the fourth generation of its BMW 3 series at the Detroit Auto Show which is more popularly known as the North American International Auto Show, or the NAIAS. This event would be held this coming January and it would also be the time when the entire motoring world would be able to witness the unveiling of the BMW 3 series. This vehicle is actually a convertible which holds four seats. For the first time, BMW would be offering the industry a convertible that has got a hardtop that is retractable.

The hardtop of the BMW 3 series is made up of lightweight type of steel. It has been created from three pieces for a more efficient flow and use. It has been designed so well so much so that it can be opened and folded in a mere twenty two seconds flat. There is no hassle in opening or closing the hardtop for it has been designed to flow smoothly.

Aside from that, the hardtop of the BMW convertible has also been made so as to lessen the amount of noise that one can hear when cruising through high speeds. The roof has got a platform that is ultra-stiff so much so that the vehicle has got more strength and is more rigid that deters sound to come inside the cabin.

Elegance and being unique. These are two of the main adjectives used to describe the BMW 3 series convertible. It comes with a hood that is not just sleek but is also long. The shoulder line of the convertible is also low to give you that elegant and fashionable kind of look. The rear end has got broad shoulders to offer you the aura of power and prestige.

By Tom Bailey

Previously known as the Detroit Auto Show, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is currently one of the most popular auto shows and events in the United States, North America, and the rest of the world. After all, this is one big event where auto manufacturers, auto lovers, and vehicles come together to share one big passion. Also, this is a very good way to bring inform the motoring public about anything and everything that could range from the best Mazda auto parts there is to the most unique concept vehicle every created.

And for this year, the NAIAS would be making its own mark in the auto world through a series of new things to offer the public. One would be the new website that they had updated and set up. While another would be the free 100th anniversary screensaver which can be referred to as commemorative and very downloadable. All of the things connected to next year's NAIAS would be new, fresh, and would hold more information. The organizers of the event claim that this move would be to provide the motoring public and the media updated information about the industry.

Bob Thibodeau Jr. is the current senior co-chairman of NAIAS 2007 and he expresses, "We are very excited to offer this special commemorative screensaver, as well as a newly redesigned website. The NAIAS and its predecessor, the Detroit Auto Show, have a long and rich history in the metro Detroit region and we are looking forward to celebrating that in 2007."

For the 2007 NAIAS, the organizers say that the press preview days would be held starting from the 7th of January up until the 9th of the same day. The Industry Preview Days would fall on the 10th up until the following day only, the 11th of January. The day for charity preview would come on the 12th. And on the 13th up until the 21st, these days would be when the public would be able to view the displayed vehicles and wares.

By Kate Tee

A round-up of the hottest cars on show in Motor City

One of the biggest showcase events in the car calendar is the North American International Auto Show, held in 'Motor City' itself - Detroit. It's a place where car makers can flex their muscles and grab headlines with their latest offerings of hot new metal.

Here are some of the best new cars from this year's show...

Toyota Prius

The latest version of the world's most popular hybrid was unveiled at Detroit, with the wraps coming off the third-generation Toyota Prius. At first glance it looks similar to its predecessor, but underneath, there's a new platform designed to give a more exhilarating drive. The petrol engine's new and the clever electric motor system's been tweaked to give better performance.

And Toyota also claim the new Prius is more economical than before, which makes it one of the greenest cars money can buy. Expect to see it nipping silently through city traffic over here from spring 2009.

Dodge Circuit/Jeep Patriot & Wrangler EV

Chrysler isn't normally known for producing green cars. But the group pulled a series of aces out of the bag in the form of their EV range.

Short for Electric Vehicle, the Dodge Circuit, Jeep Patriot and Jeep Wrangler EVs all use a combination of electric and petrol power to offer improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. They also offer the ability to run for 40 miles on electrical power alone. They're not cheap to buy, but driving to work without petrol has got to be good on the bank balance.

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

The Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S is the latest and most exclusive version of the sexy Italian saloon. It's already one of the most stunning cars money can buy, but this Sport GT S version adds subtle interior and exterior changes to make it even more appealing.

With a powerful 4.7-litre V8 engine, it's fast and thirsty, with emissions that will put it in the highest tax band when it's released over here in spring 2009. However, if you're thinking of buying one of these Italian beauties, you can try and reduce running costs by comparing car insurance to see if you can find a good deal.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

A long-time favourite of the well-heeled, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class was unveiled in an all-new guise in Detroit. Looking like a mix of its C-Class and S-Class siblings, the new E-Class is a world away from its conservative predecessor, packed with advanced technology.

Available with driver drowsiness monitoring, automatic emergency braking and infra-red night vision, it promises to be one of the safest cars ever made, which could help reduce the cost of your car insurance. The new E-Class is available from March 2009.

Jaguar XFR

Muscling in on the act in Detroit is Jaguar's meaty XFR. The high performance version of the acclaimed XF saloon adds pumped-up styling to the mix, with chunky alloy wheels and a muscle-bound body kit.

Giving it a big-cat roar underneath the bonnet is a supercharged 5-litre V8 engine, making it the most powerful Jaguar since the XJ220. It's not the cheapest way to go motoring, but this handsome beast promises to be fantastic fun when it hits our roads in March 2009.